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Starting any web design project can be daunting. With a blank page and endless options, where do you even begin? The truth is, nothing in the world is created from scratch.
If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.
Carl Sagan
Everything is a remix. So don’t feel afraid to take web design inspiration from other businesses. This isn’t your license to copy competitors. Instead, look to entirely different industries. There are great things happening in web design no matter the business.
Want to take the web design for your Vancouver business to the next level? We’ve collected our favourite examples of web design from local companies to help you do just that.
Use icons to break up your content
Many things make your business unique. So filling your pages with paragraph after paragraph can be awfully tempting. But often, less is more. If you need help separating the wheat from the chaff, let a digital marketing agency handle your copywriting.
Then, take things a step further. Bullet points are the first step to make copy easily scanned. But why leave it at that? Icons add understanding and visual flair.
Explore your space with a custom map
Is your business brick and mortar? Map search is a great way to add interaction to your website and increase foot traffic. Whether you have a single store for your visitors to explore or a directory of locations to browse, maps can be custom designed to fit your business goals.
Guide your users at the end of each page
Sure, your website has a menu in the header and another one in the footer, but have you considered the website as a whole? Understanding your user flow is key. Effective website design guides your visitors to conversion. This kind of content strategy is fundamental to the process for our web design company. Don’t let visitors get to the bottom of your page without a clear call to action.
Add some fun with patterns and textures
Patterns can easily add interest and fun to your web design. We don’t see many patterns on websites these days, and so a little can go a long way. Consider what simple elements could act as motifs to carry your brand from one page to the next.
Be personal from the get-go
Major corporations make most of the headlines. But did you know that 98% of all businesses in Canada are small businesses? Chances are your operation is a close-knit team. So why do we all so often emulate these companies and try to present our businesses as faceless entities? Don’t be afraid to get personal – put the humans front and centre.
Let the whitespace do the work
Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
More can always be added to any web design, but what you refrain from can say so much more. Don’t be afraid of whitespace. Embrace the ’emptiness’. By keeping some breathing room in mind, you can create a more mindful and luxurious appearance.
Don’t be afraid to get local
Just as you shouldn’t be afraid to get personal, you shouldn’t be afraid to get local either. Playing pretend as an international entity won’t do you any favours when you’re a local Vancouver business. Instead, lean into your homegrown roots. As Canadians and Vancouverites, we have plenty to be proud of.
There is always so much more to explore in the world of web design, but this should give you a good place to start when you’re brainstorming the next website project for your local business.
What’s your favourite design pattern from the list? We’d love to hear! Give us a call or drop by our marketing agency in Vancouver. We’re happy to chat, and we always have chocolate.